Sturridge missed further chances to score for Bolton before substitute Ivan Klasnic headed in with only three minutes left to draw the hosts level.

But Sulley Muntari ran through to send in a goalbound shot that a sliding Knight could only help over the line.

Although it looked in doubt when the Trotters snatched a late equaliser, the visitors' win was testament to their determination, discipline and hunger as they overcame a side that had won their last five home matches.

Sunderland may also have had a little luck, with their first goal coming after a passage of play when Bolton could have been awarded a free-kick for handball. And the visitors also needed heroics from Phil Bardsley, who threw himself in the way of three goalbound efforts.

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Bruce delighted to stay in top flight

While the game was short on fluency and creativity, there was plenty of endeavour on display - and it was the Black Cats' battling qualities that brought them only their second win in 12 league games.

Bolton, already safe in mid-table, might have been the perfect opposition for Sunderland but the hosts did not simply roll over.

On-loan Chelsea forward Sturridge was lively throughout for the Trotters, and on a different day would surely have scored at least once.

But there was still a sense that Bolton have yet to fully shake off that crushing 5-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat by Stoke on 17 April as they succumbed to their third consecutive defeat.

The hosts' confidence might have been boosted had Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet not blocked Matthew Taylor's low shot early on.

Instead, it was the Black Cats who begun to thrive and they should have taken the lead when Jordan Henderson's free-kick from the left picked out Bardsley but he sent his header off target from an unmarked position at the near post.

Bolton hit back, though, and Sturridge had two chances to continue his rich vein of goalscoring form.

But in the first his shot was blocked by John Mensah and in the second his effort was deflected on to the bar by Bardsley, who performed heroics in the second half when he flung his body in the way of another effort the striker.

Just as the first period was coming to a close, Sturridge was again denied by excellent defending, this time Anton Ferdinand preventing him scoring from a rebound after Mignolet had spilled Matthew Taylor's shot.

We could have won two or three games with the chances we had but then get caught by a sucker punch

Bolton manager Owen Coyle

And seconds later, Sunderland earned huge reward for their brave resistance when Zenden was put clean through on the counter attack and he waltzed past keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to slot into an empty net.

It might not have been unreasonable to expect an injury-ravaged visiting side to come out after the break and not take any risks.

Stephane Sessegnon and Zenden seemed to have other ideas and the pair quickly forced Jaaskelainen into a decent stop and then Johan Elmander into a block.

At that point, the Black Cats - even without the likes of latest injury victims Lee Cattermole and Kieran Richardson - looked comfortable.

But when Bolton stepped up a gear it took a superb piece of defending from Bardsley to block Sturridge's goalbound effort and the rebound was sent over by Lee Chung-Yong.

Soon after substitute Rodrigo Moreno stung the hands of Mignolet with a fizzing drive that the keeper could only parry.

The signs of a Trotters recovery were there and the hosts got their equaliser when Moreno sent over a teasing cross for fellow substitute Klasnic to finish off with a downward header.

With only three minutes left, it seemed Sunderland had had two points taken away from them - and it looked like they might endure worse when Davies' shot looked set to make it 2-1 to Bolton only for Bardsley to somehow clear with his head.

But, incredibly, in stoppage time Black Cats boss Steve Bruce saw his side snatch all three points when Muntari latched on to a through ball from Sessegnon and the substitute's shot was dragged over the line by Knight as he tried to clear.

POST-MATCH REACTION

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce:

"It is good to be safe now. That was the one thing we had to address when I arrived. The year I came here we stayed up on goal difference.

"We had to stop being a yo-yo club. We have had four years in the Premier League now and the next step is the most difficult one. That is trying to take the club forward and getting into the top 10."

Bolton manager Owen Coyle:

"We had clear-cut chances to get in front before half time but we never took them and truth be told we felt aggrieved to come in 1-0 down.

"We had more chances in the second half, again gilt-edged chances, to get the equaliser and then chances to win it.

"They defended with their lives and worked their socks off. We could have won two or three games with the chances we had but then get caught by a sucker punch. Not to get three points from this game is very disappointing."

90:00+1:05 Handball by Stephane Sessegnon (Sunderland). Free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton) from own half, resulting
in open play. Shot by Kevin Davies (Bolton) volleyed right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Phillip
Bardsley (Sunderland). Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Rodrigo Moreno (Bolton) to far post, resulting
in open play. Foul by Rodrigo Moreno (Bolton) on Jack Colback (Sunderland). Free kick taken right-footed by Simon Mignolet
(Sunderland) from own half, resulting in open play.

90:00+0:23 Defending throw-in by Paul Robinson (Bolton).

89:45 Foul by Zat Knight (Bolton) on Boudewijn Zenden (Sunderland). Free kick taken right-footed by Phillip Bardsley (Sunderland)
from own half, resulting in open play.

87:55 Foul by Stephane Sessegnon (Sunderland) on Zat Knight (Bolton). Free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
from own half, resulting in open play.

85:38 Foul by Kevin Davies (Bolton) on Jack Colback (Sunderland). Free kick taken right-footed by Simon Mignolet (Sunderland) from
own half, resulting in open play.

83:59 Foul by Kevin Davies (Bolton) on Boudewijn Zenden (Sunderland). Free kick taken right-footed by John Mensah (Sunderland) from
right channel, resulting in open play. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton).

83:52 Defending throw-in by Paul Robinson (Bolton).

83:31 Attacking throw-in by Nedum Onuoha (Sunderland).

83:06 Cross by Johan Elmander (Bolton), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Simon Mignolet (Sunderland).

72:01 Foul by Daniel Sturridge (Bolton) on Jack Colback (Sunderland). Free kick taken right-footed by John Mensah (Sunderland) from
own half, resulting in open play.

71:32 Attacking throw-in by Nedum Onuoha (Sunderland).

70:46 Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton).

70:37 Attacking throw-in by Phillip Bardsley (Sunderland).

68:56 Attacking throw-in by Nedum Onuoha (Sunderland).

68:07 Header by Matthew Taylor (Bolton) from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Simon
Mignolet (Sunderland).

66:56 Defending throw-in by Nedum Onuoha (Sunderland).

65:33 Shot by Daniel Sturridge (Bolton) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by Simon Mignolet (Sunderland).
Shot by Chung-Yong Lee (Bolton) right-footed from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long
by Simon Mignolet (Sunderland).

55:40 Free kick taken left-footed by Boudewijn Zenden (Sunderland) from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Johan Elmander (Bolton).
Foul by Nedum Onuoha (Sunderland) on Daniel Sturridge (Bolton). Free kick taken right-footed by Johan Elmander (Bolton) from
own half, passed. Shot by Matthew Taylor (Bolton) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.

38:36 Header by Johan Elmander (Bolton) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards), over the bar.

Correction - 37:18 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Chung-Yong Lee, Chung-Yong Lee takes a shot. Corner taken right-footed by
Chung-Yong Lee, save by Simon Mignolet. Daniel Sturridge takes a shot. Inswinging corner taken by Matthew Taylor. John Mensah
makes a clearance.

37:18 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Chung-Yong Lee (Bolton) to far post, shot by Chung-Yong Lee (Bolton)
right-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Chung-Yong
Lee (Bolton) to centre, save (punched) by Simon Mignolet (Sunderland). Shot by Daniel Sturridge (Bolton) left-footed from
right channel (18 yards), inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Matthew Taylor (Bolton) to centre, resulting
in ball out of play. Clearance by John Mensah (Sunderland).

27:07 Shot by Jack Colback (Sunderland) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Jussi Jaaskelainen
(Bolton).

26:19 Defending throw-in by Boudewijn Zenden (Sunderland).

25:51 Shot by Daniel Sturridge (Bolton) volleyed left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), attacking throw-in by Paul
Robinson (Bolton). Blocked by John Mensah (Sunderland).

25:03 Goal kick taken short by Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton).

24:20 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Boudewijn Zenden (Sunderland) to centre, clearance by Kevin Davies
(Bolton).

22:42 Foul by Zat Knight (Bolton) on Stephane Sessegnon (Sunderland). Free kick taken right-footed by Jordan Henderson (Sunderland)
from right wing, header by Phillip Bardsley (Sunderland) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), over the bar. Goal kick
taken short by Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton).

1:23 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Boudewijn Zenden (Sunderland) to near post, shot by Jack Colback
(Sunderland) volleyed left-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton).

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